Support devices



June 27, 1967 E. M. SCHWARTZ 3,327,656

SUPPORT DEVICES Filed March 51, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 0u/4e0 M sc/flamerz,

BY W 1 w June 27, 1967 E. M. SCHWARTZ 3,327,656

SUPPORT DEVICES Filed March 51, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TOR.

Z2 506M480 M SKY/04872,

BY M MW United States Patent 3,327,656 SUPPORT DEVICES Edward M. Schwartz, 515 Amberidge Trail NW., Atlanta, Ga. 30328 Filed Mar. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 539,200 4 Claims. (Cl. 108-150) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Folding tables or the like with nestable supporting bases and having tiltable tops arranged for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of nesting of the supporting bases.

This invention relates to support devices such as tables, and more specifically, to table constructions which permit storage of tables in reduced areas, with minimum manipulation of the tables. The invention more particularly concerns a table adapted for folding and stacking with similar tables wherein the table includes both a base and a pivotal top and the base is slotted in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the top.

In institutions such as schools and the like, certain rooms or areas are often designated for multiple uses, serving as recreation areas, meeting rooms, and lunch rooms. Such rooms require furniture which is easily moved and stored, and of sufiicient durability and serviceabiliy to withstand frequent movement and storage. Various foldable tables have been previously proposed for such use, as shown for example in prior United States Patent No. 3,182,613 but an improved type is herein proposed to meet the needs of greater ease of use and resistance to damage. The present invention has as a major objective the provision of tables which are storable in compact condition and which are of heavy construction unlikely to be damaged in use.

A further object concerns the provision of foldable stacking tables wherein the table top is effectively prevented from tilting during use, and which requires a positive action to initiate the folding procedure.

Another objective resides in the provision of stacking tables including a pivoting top, a pedestal, and a base with slots arranged therein for reception of the pedestal of an adjacent table when stacked, the pivot axes of the tops being arranged substantially perpendicular with respect to the slots.

Additional objects of the invention include the provision of tables which are self storing insofar as the tops are connected to the tables during storage, tables which are foldable to a minimum space and are adapted for stacking at random without any preconceived order; tables wherein no complex mechanical devices are required for stacking; tables which are adapted for shipment in effectively disassembled condition if desired; tables wherein the top portions are readily disconnected to permit storage of bases in compact and readily reassembled form; and foldable tables wherein the folding procedure involves an uncomplicated manipulation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first form of supporting device constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in cross section to show details, and partially disassembled;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevational view;

3,327,656 Patented June 27, 1967 FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section lines 44 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view showing a plurality of the tables as folded and stacked;

FIGURE 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the modification;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, disassembled perspective view of the modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the section line 9-9 of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view on reduced scale;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view showing a modified, dual version of the table;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view through the standard portion of another form of the invention;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 14 is a front elevational view;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view on the line 1616 of FIGURE 15; and

FIGURE 17 is a detail view similar to FIGURE 16, showing operational movement.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and first to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 6, a table within the scope of the invention is therein generally designated by reference numeral 20. The table 20 comprises a base 22 of a required general outline shape, formed of optional construction materials, having an upper side 24 and a lower side 26 and including a central section 28. As shown in FIGURE 1, the base has at least two diametrically arranged, opposite slideways 30, 32 separated by the central section, for a purpose set forth below.

An elongated, substantially cylindrical hollow pedestal 34 is secured to the base central section 28 and extends from the upper side 24. The pedestal 34 has a lower end 36 and an upper end 38 terminating at an end edge 40. A substantially rectangular slot 42 is formed on one side of the end portion 38 and extends to the edge 40, the inner wall 44 having a retaining lip 46 of generally semicircular form thereon positioned in opposed relation to the slot. Spaced downwardly from the slot, the wall has a pair of threaded openings 4-8 therein and screws 50 are engaged in these openings. The screw inner ends 52 comprise contact means, and are moved inwardly and outwardly by rotation of the screws responsive to turning of their handles 54. Other clamping means may be optionally employed in place of the screws 50.

The table 20 has a top 56 to the underside of which is connected a top support element 58. Element 58 is of substantially solid form, and has sides 60 connected to the top by screw means 62 or the like. An enlarged central body section 64 has a vertical bore 66 therein terminating at a top wall 63. A slide element 70 comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical body portion 72 with a lower end 74 and upper end 76 is provided and has a threaded extension 73 extending from the upper end thereof for connection with a threaded opening 80 in the top wall 68. A stop lug 82 of a width to fit within the slot 42 is secured to the wall 68 at one side. An enlarged ball element 84 is fixed to the end 74 of the body portion 72. It is to be observed that the body portion is In operation, the top is normally located as shown in FIGURE 3, and the end 52 of the screw 50 may be engaged against the ball with the lug '82 seated in the slot 42 thereby preventing rotation of the top. When it is desired to fold the top to its FIGURE position, the contact screw is disengaged (assuming that a contact screw is employed) and the top is thereafter lifted upwardly to the limit set by the contact of the ball with the retaining lip 46. At that position, the top is pivoted forwardlyto a folded, vertical position about an axis perpendicular to the slideways.

In FIGURES 7 through 10, a second form of the table a is shown, having a base 220: with slideways a and 32a therein. Extending upwardly from the central section 28a separating the slideways is the pedestal 341: having a lowerend 36a and upper end portion 38a terminating in an end edge 40a. In this form of the invention, the pedestal is of substantially rectangular, hollow form and thus 'has forward and rear walls 100, 102 and sides, 104, 106. The walls 100 and 102 have substantially rectangular slots 108, 110 formed therein, which slots are coaligned and of substantially equal dimension, for a purpose appearing below. Side walls 104 and 106 have coaligned, vertically extending closed slots 112, 114 therein, each having. an enlarged portion 116 at its base.

A top 56a with a top support element 58a connected thereto at its sides 60a by screw means 62a is provided, and has a base 66a shaped to receive the pedestal therein. A slide element 70a of a configuration to permit sliding movement within the pedestal is connected to the top 68a of the bore by a threaded extension 78a of its upper end 76a which is received in an opening 80a and extends downwardly therefrom. Element 70a includes a lower end portion 74a having an elongated bolt 118 extended through a transverse opening 120 therein and through the slots 112 and 114. The bolt 118 has end portions extending outwardly of the pedestal, both sides of which have a wing nut 124 thereon. Washers 126 are located on each of the end portions and are adapted to fit within the enlarged portions of the slots when the nuts are tightened. Coil springs 129 are provided to expel the washers 126 from the enlarged portions upon loosening of the wing nuts, thereby permitting raising and lowering of the element within the pedestal.

Referring to FIGURE 10, it is therein shown that the top 56a is pivotal about the axes of the bolt 118 in either of two directions, the slide element falling into either the slot 108 or 110. Operation may involve the loosening of the nuts 124 which permit-s vertical sliding movement of the element 704: within the pedestal, while tightening of the nut with the element in its retracted position effectively locks the table in a use position. Once again, it is to be noted that the pivot axis of the top is in right angular relation to the axes of the slideways.

In FIGURE 11, it will be noted that an elongated, rectangular table 2012 is shown, wherein a plurality of base and pedestal means are employed. The number of such support assemblies of course is dependent upon the length of the top, and any suitable number may be used. The form of support assembly chosen for illustration is that of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 through 10, but it will be understood that any modification thereof within the scope of the claims is acceptable for this purpose.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG- URES 12 through 17, the table is designated 20c and has a base (not shown) similar to those described above. A hollow, upstanding pedestal 34c--here of generally square section, extends from the base and includes an upper end portions 380 terminating in an end edge 400. The pedestal has side walls 1040, 1060 with coaligned, closed slots 1120, 1140 therein. Each of said slots has an enlarged, rounded upper end 200.

The top 56c of this form of the device has a ton sup- 41- port assembly 580 comprising a pair of oppositely arranged but otherwise similar plates 202 of inverted truncated triangular form, connected with cross plates 204 having top flanges 206 to the top 560 by suitable fasteners 208. As will be seen in the drawing, FIGURES 12 and 13, outward braces 210 are secured to the top and the side plates, and the side plates have coaligned o enings 7 212 formed therein, best shown in FIGURE 15. The plates are connected in spaced apart, side-by-side relation on either side of the pedestal upper end portion.

An elongated cross bolt 1180 has a central portion 214 of substantially square cross section which extends through the slots 1120 and 1140 and openings 212.Reduced circular ends of the bolt are screw threaded and have washers 220 and nuts 222 thereon.

As shown in FIGURE 17, the central section of the bolt is restricted for rotary movement throughout the main extent of the slots 1120 and 1140 but is dimensioned for rotation in the enlarged portions 200 thereof. Thus, right angular relation of the top to the pedestal is assured in the use position of the table, but movement to the storage location at the top is readily achievable.

Having described and illustrated several embodiments of this invention in some detail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrations have been offered only by way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A table adapted for folding and stacking comprising:

a base having at least one slideway therein of substantially radial location, the slideway being of at least a predetermined width;

a pedestal including an upper end portion, the pedestal being secured to the base in alignment with the slideway and projecting upwardly from the base;

the pedestal, adjacent the base, being of a width less than said predetermined width whereby to permit stacking of the bases on one another with the pedestal engaged within the slideway of an adjacent one thereof;

a top assembly pivotally secured to the upper end of the pedestal for pivoting on an axis substantially perpendicular to the slideway;

the top assembly being movable vertically with respect to the pedestal upper end from a lower locking position to an upper pivoting position; and

side locking means on the pedestal for engagement with the top assembly to retain it in its said lower locking position.

2. A table adapted for folding and stacking compris ing:

a base having at least two slideways therein arranged diametrically opposite one another, the slideways being of at least a predetermined width;

a pedestal including an upper end portion secured to the base between the slideways and projecting upwardly therefromjthe pedestal adjacent the base being of a width less than said determined width whereby to permit stacking of the bases on one another with the pedestal engaged in the adjacent slideway;

a top assembly pivotally secured to the upper end of the pedestal for pivoting on an axis substantially perpendicular to the slideways;

the pedestal including a substantially hollow upper end portion;

a slide element mounted within the hollow upper end portion of the pedestal and slidable to an outer pivoting position;

means securing the slide element to the pedestal and permitting pivoting thereof on an axis substantially perpendicular to the slideways;

a top support element having a bore therein, the slide element being received within the bore and the peding:

a base having at least two slideways therein arranged diametrically opposite one another, the slideways being of at least a predetermined width;

a pedestal including an upper end portion secured to the base between the slideways and projecting upwardly therefrom, the pedestal adjacent the base being of a width less than said determined width whereby to permit stacking of the bases on one another with the pedestal engaged in the adjacent slidey;

a top assembly pivotally secured to the upper end of the pedestal for pivoting on an axis substantially perpendicular to the slideways;

the pedestal including a substantially hollow upper end portion;

a slide element mounted within the hollow upper end portion of the pedestal and slidable to an outer pivoting position;

means securing the slide element to the pedestal and permitting pivoting thereof on an axis substantially perpendicular to the slideways;

a top support element having a bore therein, the slide element being received within the bore and the pedestal upper end being slidably received therein in a retracted position thereof;

a table top secured to the top support element;

the means securing the slide element to the pedestal comprising a changeable fastener;

the pedestal having elongated slots therein in which the changeable fastener is engaged;

the pedestal being of rectangular form including forward and rear walls and side walls; and

the forward and rear walls having substantially rectangular slots therein to receive the slide elements when folded.

4. The invention of claim 3, and:

screw means associated with the bolt for locking the slide in retracted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 755,043 3/1904 Pike et a1 248371 X 850,453 4/1904 Winans 248-371 1,448,171 3/1923 Waderlow 248371 X 2,359,821 10/1944 Black 108-115 2,611,135 9/1952 Greene 248371 X 2,759,528 8/1956 Rachman et al. l085 3,182,613 5/1965 Hagan 10891 FOREIGN PATENTS 850,535 9/1939 France.

30 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TABLE ADAPTED FOR FOLDING AND STACKING COMPRISING: A BASE HAVING AT LEAST ONE SLIDEWAY THEREIN OF SUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL LOCATION, THE SLIDEWAY BEING OF AT LEAST A PREDETERMINED WIDTH; A PEDESTAL INCLUDING AN UPPER END PORTION, THE PEDESTAL BEING SECURED TO THE BASE, IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SLIDEWAY AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE BASE; THE PEDESTAL, ADJACENT THE BASE, BEING OF A WIDTH LESS THAN SAID PREDETERMINED WIDTH WHEREBY TO PERMIT STACKING OF THE BASES ON ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PEDESTAL ENGAGED WITHIN THE SLIDEWAY OF AN ADJACENT ONE THEREOF; A TOP ASSEMBLY PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF THE PEDESTAL FOR PIVOTING ON AN AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE SLIDEWAY; THE TOP ASSEMBLY BEING MOVABLE VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PEDESTAL UPPER END FROM A LOWER LOCKING POSITION TO AN UPPER PIVOTING POSITION; AND SIDE LOCKING MEANS ON THE PEDESTAL FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TOP ASSEMBLY TO RETAIN IT IN ITS SAID LOWER LOCKING POSITION. 